Ukrainian lawmakers approve introduction of martial law

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian lawmakers voted on Monday to back a proposal by President Petro Poroshenko to introduce martial law for a period of 30 days in areas of the country most vulnerable to an attack from Russia.

They also voted to confirm that Ukraine would hold presidential elections on March 31.

The vote followed the capture of three Ukrainian vessels by Russia over the weekend, a crisis that threatened to pitch the two countries into open conflict.

Separately, the International Monetary Fund said introducing martial law would have no bearing on continued IMF cooperation with Ukraine.